Reciprocating metal working apparatus



1933. J. SCHMELLER. sR 1,940,021

RECIPROCATING METAL WORKING APPARATUS Filed March 51. 1930 i My -'/4 F'39 37 2:7

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#24- INVENTOR. fzi John fichme/kfjjr,

ATTORNEY-S.

Patented Dec. 19, 1933 PATENT OFFICE? r 11,940,021 ,RECIPROCATING METALwommvo APPARATUS John Schmeller, Sr.,Lakewoo d, Ohio, assignor toSchmeller Holding Company, Cleveland, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application March 31, 1930. Serial No. 440,507

7 Claims. (01. 263 -23) This application is a continuation in part of myapplication, Serial No. 252,738, filed February 8, 1928. The invention,asindicated, relates to a reciprocating metal working apparatus.

5 More particularly the apparatus is adapted for the refining anddeoxidizing of the morereadily oxidizable metals such as aluminum, andthe like, but it is not intended to limit this application to'such usesinasmuch as it may be found equally applicable to metals of othercharacter.

In the refining and deoxidizing of metals such as aluminum, andparticularly those which are recovered from secondary materialsincluding borings, turnings, filing, and the like, it is neces sary tocarry the oxide coatings within which the metal is encased into the'bodyof the collector bath of the metal within the furnace and to sub-dividethe metal bath into a number of portions which, through friction andimpact, react upon each other under suitable thermal conditions todisrupt the oxide coatings and permit the metal particles to coalesceand to permit the residue of the oxides to rise to the surface of themolten bath to be removed by skimming 26 from time to time.Inapplications copending herewith I have set forth .in detail variousmethods of bringing about the desired treatment of the raw material andin the present application I am disclosing a still further type of apparatus which may beutilized for this purpose. To the accomplishment ofthe foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of themeans hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in theclaims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of variousmechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.v

In said annexed drawing: r

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view taken longitudinally of afurnace chamber and apparatus associated therewith, for carrying outthe' principles of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatusshown in Fig. 1, partially in section; and Fig. 3 is a detail view ofone of the grids used for agitating the molten metalbath.

As is' clearly shown in Fig. I, the furnace 1, comprises an elongatedsubstantially rectangular chamber 2 preferably formed of brick ofsuitable character and being associated at either side with' chambers 3,4, having communicating passageways 10, through which heated metal maybetaken-into or discharged from the agigrids, extends.

tating chamber 2, in carying out various metal treatments. Thefloor ofthe agitating chamber preferably is curved adjacent either'end5, 6, andthe furnace is enclosed by a roof 7, shown as arched, which serves toconfine the reducing.

gases provided above the hot metal ,bath.

At each of the outside walls 8, 9, of the fur nace vertically elongatedopenings 11, 12, are provided through which a shaft 13, carrying theagitating members, preferably in the form of The shaft in the formillustrated is provided with three grids 14 which comprise a pair ofcomplementary metal sections preferably formed of apertured cast ironplates 15, 16, and having complementary extensions 17, 18, at theirupperedge adapted to be secured together bysuitable bolts 19 after thegrids have been-assembled about the shaft. The shaft is provided with apair of lugs 21, 22, on its upper side spaced from each other a suitabledistance to permit the rocking of the grids from side to side as theshaft is reciprocated back and forth through the furnace chamber. .Thegrids'may be mountedloosely upon the shaft and be both, positioned, andlimited as to their degree of motion, by the lugs 21, 22, referred to.If desired pivot pins 23 may be engaged throughthe shaft at spacedpoints to serve as pivots for the reciprocating grids. The grids asillustrated, areprovided with a series of rectangular apertures 20separated by longitudinal and transverse ribs 24,

25, and the lower edge of the grid may have extension flanges 26, 27, oneach side, 'to take up wear and to divert the heated -metal within thechamber through the apertured portion of the grid. No positive means forindividually moving the grids is provided, but as the shaft isreciprccated through the furnace, the contact of the grids with themolten mass of metal within the chamber will incline the grids first inone direction and then in the other as the direction of motion of theshaft is changed.

When the grids are thus disposed at an angle to the molten bath,the'metal will be forced through the apertures thereof and will beseparated into individual portions which will be directed in a'generaldirection from the surface of I the molten bath toward the base thereofduring the greater period of movement of the grids, and will be reversedin angular relation to the baS Cf the furnace as the grids are moved inthe opposite direction.

In this manner enclosing envelopessof oxide will be given abrupt andviolent impact by contact with thegrids and the adjacent portions 11% ofthe metal and also will be carried into the purer metal of the collectorbath adjacent the base of the chamber where thermal conditions arefavorable to the coalescense of the freed particles of metal within theoxide envelopes and will absorb the same, freeing the residual matter sothat it may rise to the surface of the molten bath. In order to permitof the skimming ofthe bath from time to time, the agitating mechanism issupported so that it may be adjusted vertically, and also, so that thegrids may be lifted free of the bath when desired, to permit them to becooled.

The means for vertically positioning the agitating apparatus withinthe-furnace is clearly shown in the drawing and comprises a pair ofstandards 31, 32, each carrying at their upper ends a pair of pulleys33, 34, over which is engaged a cable 35, carrying adjustable weights 40at its free end, the other end being suitably attached to a supportingframe member 36 surrounding the column and carrying rollers 37 uponwhich the shaft 13 is supported. At one side the supportingframe carriesan extension plate 38 upon which is mounted a fluid pressure cylinder 39which may be of either the air or hydraulic type and which is connectedby means of a fluid pressure line (not shown) to a suitable source ofpower and controlling device. The supporting frame members are providedat their ends adjacent the furnace with vertical extension platesforming doors 41 to cover the vertically elongatedopenings 11, 12, inthe outside walls of the furnace. These doorsare thus freely suspendedand may act as explosion doors in case of emergency, or separateexplosiondoors may be provided elsewhere in the outside walls. Thus,when the shaft is elevated to its point of greatest elevation, the doors41 will be lifted above the lower portion of the openings at either sideso that skimming through the same'may be readily carried on. Suitablearrangement may be made to adjust one or both of the doors vertically ofthe frame, so as to permit one of the doors to be kept closed while theother is opened.

When only one adjacent furnace chamber is provided, a skimming door maybe provided in the additional outside wall. In the form offurnaceillustrated, two chambers 3, 4, are provided adjacent theagitating or puddling chamber, one of which chambers, may be used as amelting chamber at one side of the agitating chamber, in which the metalis melted, and the heat applied to the bath, and the chamber on theopposite side may be used as a casting chamher into which metal iswithdrawn from the agitating chamber, to have a higher degree of heatapplied thereto for casting purposes.

When finely divided material, such as borings, turnings, skimmings, andthe like are to be incorporated in the bath, .the same may be chargeddirectly into the agitating chamber, thegreases and oils containedthereon serving to provide a blanket of reducing gases and to assist inmaintaining the necessary temperature for continuing the action of thefurnace. The gases formed within the furnace chamber are in a state ofincomplete combustion owing to the furnace being closed and withoutflues.

When the furnace is started, it is necessary to apply a high degree ofheat to one'of the adjacent chambers and the heat is ordinarily appliedthereto by means of oil burners which providev hot gases in the chamberwherein they are located and also permit the combustible mixture ofgases to enter the agitating chamber and heat the walls thereofpreliminary to the melting of raw stock in the first-mentioned chamberand the flowing of the molten metal tl n'ough the apertures 10 adjacentthe base of the chamber into the agitating chamber. During this processof starting the furnace, the agitating apparatus is lifted to a positionadjacent the roof of the furnace so that it will be free from anyinjurious effects from the heat entering the base of the furnace.

As the cylinder reciprocates under the action of a suitable controllingdevice, the shaft 13 is moved back and forth sliding freely on itssupporting rollers, and as this motion swings the grids through the massof molten metal, it will cause any light material, positioned in theupper portion, or on the surface of such bath to be carried in adirection downwardly from the surface of the bath toward the bottom ofthe furnace'chamber and at thesame time will mechanically draw out thefibres of molten metal and eliminate-therefrom-all entrapped particlesof "oxide residue. This action will also rupture the oxide envelopescovering any tiny particles of metal and permit such metal to become apart of the main body ,of molten material in the furnace.

Apart from the reduction of readily oxidizable metal particularlyaluminum and its alloys, the device will be found valuable indeoxidizing other metal, and working the fibres or grain thereof so asto produce a metal of superior tenacity to that produced without suchpuddling action.

The grids, it will be noted, practically fill completely the spacetransversely of the furnace chamber so that they preventthe accumulationof oxides on the walls and bring about a series of cross streamsthroughout the bath as the metal streams are forced through said, grids,there be? ing, as stated, but small clearance between said grids and thebottom and side walls of the furnace. This insures the application offriction and impact to substantially the entire mass of molten metal andthe production of a product of fine grain, and excellent physicalcharacteristics.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described having in combination afurnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal, a horizontalmember positioned above the level of said bath of molten metal, meansfor moving saidhorizontal member in the direction of its length, meansfor moving said horizontal member toward and away. from said bath ofmolten metal, and means associated with said horizontal member forpartial submergence in said metal bath 7 to sub-divide the mass ofmolten metal into a plurality of substantially independent portionsspaced from each other at the point of separa tion, when said horizontalmember is moved endwise.

2. An apparatus of the character described having in combination, afurnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal, a horizontalmember positioned above the levelof. said bath ,of molten metal,adjustable means for L50 varying the spacing of said horizontal memberabove the bath, means to move said member endwise in a positionsubstantially parallel to the surface of said bath carried by saidadjustable means, and means associated with said horizontal member forpartial 'submergence in said metal bath to sub-dividethe mass of moltenmetal into a plurality of substantiallyindependent portions spaced asubstantial distance from each other at the point of separation andreuniting beyond said point at an angle to each other, when saidhorizontal member is moved endvn'se.

3. An apparatus of the. character described having in combination afurnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal, a horizontalmember positioned above the'level of said bath of molten metal, meansfor moving said horizontal member in the direction of its length, meansfor moving said horizontal member toward and away from said bath ofmolten metal, a plurality of apertured grids, positioned at spacedpoints along said horizontal member and freely" movable to inclinedpositions thereon, when said horizontal member is moved endwise tosub-divide the mass of molten metal into a plurality of substantiallyindependent portions spaced from each other at the point of separation,and to direct the various portions of said metal bath toward the bottomof said furnace chamber.

4. An apparatus of the character described having in combination anelongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal andhaving substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout thegreater portion of their extent, a grid positioned transversely of saidbath and partially submerged therein and having small marginal clearancefrom said side and bottom walls, means for reciprocating said grid in adirection longitudinally of said furnace chamber, and means forelevating said grid and its reciprocating means with reference to theliquid level of said bath of molten metal.

5. An apparatus of the character described having in combination anelongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal andhaving substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout thegreater portion of. their extent, a grid positioned transversely ofsaidbath and partially submerged therein and having small marginalclearance from said side and bottom walls, means for supporting saidgrid for free swinging movement back and forth,

means for reciprocating said grid in a direction longitudinally of saidfurnace chamber and in angular relation to the bath of molten metalinduced by the retarding effect of said molten metal bath on the lowerportion of said grid, said grid serving to direct subdivided portions ofthe material in said bath in a direction toward the bottom of saidfurnace chamber, and means for elevating said grid with reference to theliquid level of said bath of molten metal.

6. An apparatus of the character described having in combination anelongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal andhaving substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout thegreater portion of their extent, a grid positioned transversely of saidbath and partially submerged therein and having small marginal clearancefrom said side and bottom walls, means for supporting said grid for freeswinging movement back and forth, means for reciprocating said grid in adirection longitudinally of said furnace chamber, and means forelevating said grid and the means for reciprocating the same, withreference to the 5 liquid level of said bath of molten metal.

7. An apparatus of the character described having in combination anelongated furnace chamber adapted to receive a bath of molten metal andhaving substantially straight bottom and side walls throughout thegreater portion of their extent, a plurality of grids positioned atspaced intervals transversely of said bath and partially submergedtherein and having small marginal clearance from said side and bottom 1walls, means for reciprocating said grids simultaneously in a directionlongitudinally of said furnace chamber, and means for elevating saidgrids with reference to the liquid level of said bath of molten metalwithout interfering with .20 said reciprocating means.

JOHN SCHMELLER, SR.

